Flight Price Dropped After Booking? Here's What to Do

Buying airline tickets can feel like a gamble. You snag what seems like a good deal, only to see the price plummet a few days later. It's frustrating, but don't despair! In many cases, you can still take advantage of those lower fares, even after you've purchased your ticket. Here's your guide to navigating the world of post-booking price drops.

The 24-Hour Rule: A Crucial Detail

Let's clear up a common misconception: the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has a rule that allows you to cancel your flight for a full refund within 24 hours of booking. However, this rule only applies if you book your flight at least seven days before departure. So, if you're booking a last-minute trip, this rule won't apply.

The Game Changer: Goodbye, Change Fees!

The biggest shift in the airline industry in recent years is the near-universal elimination of change fees (with a few exceptions we'll cover). This means that for most fares (excluding Basic Economy), you can now change your flight without penalty. This is huge news for dealing with price drops!

What Happens When the Price Drops After 24 Hours?

If you notice a lower fare after the initial 24-hour window (or if your booking was within 7 days of departure), here's how it generally works with major U.S. airlines:

• You'll likely get a travel credit: If you booked a non-Basic Economy fare and the price drops, most airlines will issue you a travel credit for the difference. This credit can be used towards future flights with that airline.

Airline-Specific Policies: A Quick Rundown

While the general trend is toward travel credits, here's a quick look at some airline-specific nuances:

• Alaska Airlines: Alaska has eliminated change fees for most fares except Saver fares. If the price drops, you can typically cancel (if you have a flexible fare) and rebook using the resulting travel credit.
• American Airlines: American has also eliminated change fees for most fares except Basic Economy and some international routes. If the price decreases, contacting American Airlines directly is your best bet to get a travel credit. For award tickets, they'll generally reprice your award (for standard awards) or require you to rebook (for web special awards).
• Delta Air Lines: Delta follows a similar policy, having removed change fees for most fares except Basic Economy on domestic routes and some international routes. You can usually get an eCredit for the price difference.
• Frontier Airlines: Frontier is an exception to the no-change-fee trend. They typically charge cancellation fees, which can be costly. If you purchased their "Works" bundle, you have more flexibility. For award tickets, they charge a redeposit fee. Carefully weigh the potential savings against these fees.
• JetBlue: JetBlue has eliminated change fees for most fares except Blue Basic. They also offer a Best Fare Guarantee: if you find a lower fare on a third-party site on the same day you book, they'll give you a $50 credit towards future travel. All travel credits expire 1 year after issuance.
• Southwest Airlines: Southwest has always been known for its customer-friendly policies. They have no change fees, and if the price drops, you can easily rebook online and receive a credit for the difference. Their credits have no expiration date!
• Spirit Airlines: Like Frontier, Spirit charges cancellation fees, making it less advantageous to try and take advantage of price drops unless the difference is significant. They also charge a redeposit fee for award tickets.
• United Airlines: United has eliminated change fees for most fares except Basic Economy. They usually allow online changes where you can see the credit amount, but sometimes you may need to change to a different flight on the same day to get the credit. They also waive redeposit fees for award tickets for the same routes and fare types whereas change fees are waived for cash tickets.

What to Do If You See a Price Drop:

1. Check the Fare Rules: Quickly check the fare rules of your original ticket to see if you are eligible for changes/cancellations.
2. Contact the Airline: If you're outside the 24-hour window and have a non-Basic Economy ticket, contact the airline directly. They'll be able to tell you if you're eligible for a travel credit and how to proceed.
3. Consider the Savings: Before making any changes, calculate whether the potential savings are worth the effort (or any applicable fees, in the case of budget airlines).

The Bottom Line:

While seeing a price drop after booking can be frustrating, the elimination of change fees has made it much easier to recoup some of that money. By understanding the airline policies and acting quickly, you can often turn a disappointing price drop into a future travel opportunity.